Preoperative anxiety in parents of pediatric patients: related factors and the role of health literacy

Aims: In this study, it was aimed to determine preoperative anxiety levels, related factors, the relationship between health literacy and anxiety in parents of pediatric patients. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on the parents of children who will be operated in a tertiary hospital between 15 June and 15 September 2022. The number of 82 people were included in the study. Information form introducing children and families, Health Literacy Scale(HLS), State Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) questionnaires were applied to parents. p<0.05 was considered significant in statistical analysis. Results: The state anxiety score of the parents participating in the study was 37.51±9.50, trait anxiety score was 42.55±8.83, HLS 45.46±14.34. Preoperative state anxiety level of mothers(39.63±9.97) was higher than that of fathers(34.36±8.71)(p=0.040), trait anxiety level was similar(p=0.189), mothers' health literacy(40.36±11.11) was found to be lower (48.11±15.19) than fathers(p=0.019). The state anxiety level of parents whose income is equal to expenditure was found to be the lowest(33.43±7.33)(p<0.001). While the state anxiety score was found to be significantly lower(p=0.024), the trait anxiety score was similar(p=0.560) and the health literacy score was higher(p=0.042), among the parents who had knowledge about anesthesia. The relationship between state anxiety score and health literacy score was negative and significant(p<0.001). Conclusion: It is seen that the anxiety levels of parents with low health literacy increase before the surgery. It is important to know the factors related to the anxiety levels of the parents before the surgery.